Electric spot welding machine



Feb. 18, 1941. a STONE ETAL 2232,0138

ELECTRIC SPOT WELDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 51, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS: F LOYD E. STONE HARRY c. STONE ATTORNEY.

Feb. 18, 1941. B, STQNE ETAL 2,232,038

ELECTRIC SPOT WELDING momma 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 51, 1938 FiG. 2.

I f 99 v 2o 44 INVENTQRS:

5 FLOYD B. STONE 475 HARRY c. STONE 9| BY y 87 I 8 78 as as 85 w ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SPOT WELDING MACHINE Application October 31, 1938, Serial No. 237,904

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in electric spot welding machines and, more particularly, to welding machines operated by fluid pressure.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide means for varying the duration of the welding current without altering the time 'period required for the motion of the power operated means in clamping the work between the electrodes.

Another object is to enable the machine to be manually operable at the will of the operator without the necessity for disconnecting the fluid pressure power means or interfering with its adjustment;

Another object is to hold the work clamped between the electrodes until the control switch is released by the operator.

Another object is to increase the clamping pressure applied to the work being welded throughout the welding operation, so that the clamping pressure reaches a maximum maintained during the cooling and solidification of the weld after the flow of the welding current is cut off.

Another object is to provide a welding machine of the present type which is simple and rugged in construction and reliable in operation.

Other objects and advantages appear as this description progresses.

In this specification and the accompanying drawings, the invention is disclosed in its preferred form. It is to be understood, however, that it may be embodied in other forms within the purview of the claims following the description.

In the two sheets of drawings:

Fig. l is a vertical section of a welding machine constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the same showing the valves for regulating the power operating mechanism.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section of the lower portion of the power cylinder for operating the machine, showing the magnetic valve controlling the admission of fluid pressure to the power cylinder.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section taken along the line IVIV in Fig. 1 showing the switch contacts controlling the welding circuit.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section in somewhat reduced scale showing the means for adjusting the initial clearance between the electrodes.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the control means for the power cylinder.

In detail the construction illustrated in the drawings, referring more particularly to Fig. 1, comprises the enclosing pedestal casing I with the plate 2 bolted to its front over the opening 3. The bracket 4 is mounted on the plate 2 and is suitably insulated therefrom, The arm 5 extends laterally from the bracket 4 and has stationary electrode 6 mounted therein which is suitably water jacketed at 1. The hoses 8 and 9 connected to the wa ter jacket 7 communicate with a water service line and a drain respectively. The foot ID extends downwardly from the bracket 4 and bears against the pressure block i l to support the electrode 5 against the clamping pressure exerted thereagainst.

The lever 12 pivoted on the stub shaft i3 mounted in the yoke bracket M on the plate 2 and has the arm 15 extending laterally therefrom, The water-jacketed electrode I6 is mounted in the arm l5 in operative relation to the stationary electrode 6. The electrode I6 is grounded through the casing l in accordance with the usual practice. The transformer 51, of conventional design, is mounted on the plate 2 within the casing I. The electrodes 6 and iii are interposed in the low-voltage secondary circuit of this transformer in the usual manner.

The lever i2 bearing the movable electrode i6 is operated by the power cylinder i8 which has the piston i9 therein; see Figs. 3 and 6. The usual packing cup seals the piston l9 against loss of fluid pressure. The piston rod 2 l extends upwardly from the power cylinder I8 and has the crosshead 22 fixed on its upper end.

The interspaced duplex rods 23-23 slidably engage the crosshead 22 and are fixed in the clevis 24 which is 'pivotally connected to the inner end of the lever i2, The lower ends of the duplex rods 23-43 are guided in the lugs 25 extending laterally from the base 26 of the power cylinder. The springs L l-21 encircle the rods 23 and expand between the crosshead 22 and the clevis 24. These springs resiliently transmit the movements of the piston iii to the lever i2 carrying the movable electrode iii.

The arms 28-28 extend downwardly from the base 26 of the power cylinder and are pivotally connected to the lever 29 which is fixed on the cross shaft 30. This shaft extends across the casing i and is journalled therein. The yoke treadle 3| has its ends fixed to the ends of the shaft 30 by the shackle 32 and is operable to raise the power cylinder i8 and the parts connected therewith as hereinafter described.

The end of the lever 29 rests on the cam 33 which is fixed on the shaft 34 extending longitudinally in the casing I and rotatably mounted therein. The cam 33 has the faces 66, 66, 61, 38 (see Fig. 5) disposed at progressively increasing distances from the shaft 34. The shaft 64 may be manually rotated by the lever 38 with the grip 40 thereon to bring any of the cam faces 35-38 into operative position beneath the lever 29. The level of the power cylinder and its associated parts may thus be adjusted for purposes later to be described. The spring 4I contracts between the lug 42 on the clevis 24 and the clip 43 on the casing I to urge the piston I6 and the power cylinder I8 to their lowermost position with the end of the lever 26 resting on the cam 33.

The bracket 44 extends laterally from the crosshead 22 and has the standard 45 projecting upwardly therefrom, refer to Figs. 1 and 4. The lever 46 is pivoted at 41 on the standard 45 and has the insulating block 46 fixed thereon. The contact bar 49 is slidably mounted on the pins 5656 which are fixed on the block 46, and is urged downwardly against the block by the springs 5I. The beam 52 is fixed on the bracket 44 and is insulated therefrom, and has mounted therein the two contacts 53-53 which extend upward into juxtaposition with the contact bar 49. The bar 49 and the contacts 53 are connected through the wires 54, 55 to the primary of the transformer II.

The roller 56 is rotatably mounted in the bifurcated end of the lever 46 and is engaged by the notched end 57 of the link 58 which is pivoted on the lug 42 of the clevis 24. When the machine is in the normal non-operative condition, the springs 21 tend to expand and urge the crosshead 22 away from the clevis 24, thus raising the lever 46 with respect to the bracket 44 and opening the contacts 48-53. The lug 56 on the lever 46 engages the adjustable stop 6| to limit this movement. The downward movement of the lever 46 is limited by the stop 62 fixed on the bracket 44.

The conventional pressure regulator or pressure-stat valve 63 (see Figs. 2 and 6) is mounted on the exterior of the casing I and is connected by the pipe 64 to a suitable source of air pressure such as the usual reservoir tank. The pressure delivered at 65 by the valve 63 can be regulated by manually turning the handle 65 and is visually indicated by the gauge 61. The second pressure regulator valve 68 is connected in series with the valve 63 and is set by the manual handle 68 to deliver a lower pressure than the valve 63. The exact pressure to be delivered by the valve 68 is determined as hereinafter described. The needle valve I6 is connected in parallel with the pressure regulator valve 68 and is adapted to bleed air from the region of higher pressure at 65 to the delivery side of the valve 66. The graduated disk II is rotatable with the stem of the needle valve I6 and cooperates with the index I2 to indicate the degree of opening of this valve.

The delivery side of the valves 66 and III are connected by the pipe I3 to the base 26 of the power cylinder (see Figs. 3 and 6). This base has the vertically disposed chamber I4 therein, the upper end of which communicates with the pipe I3 through the passage I5. The annular valve seat I6 is provided intermediate the length of the chamber I4 and is adapted to be closed by the ball 11. The duct I6 leads fromthe chamber I4 beneath the ball valve 16-II and discharges into the power cylinder I8 beneath the piston I 6. The chamber I8 in the base 26 communicates with the interior of the cylinder I6 and has the valve seat 66 intermediate its length with the cooperating ball H. The port 62 discharges from the lower portion of the chamber I6 into the atmosphere.

The plungers 66, 64 are slidable within the base 26 and are adapted to displace the balls TI, 6| from their respective seats I6, 86. The lower ends of these plungers rest on the lever 85 which is pivoted at 66 on the arms 26-26. The spring 61 contracting between the end of the lever 65 and the lug 66 on the base 26 urges the lever 85 into the position shown in Fig. 3 with the plunger 64 pushed upward displacing the ball 6| from its seat 66 and allowing atmospheric pressure to flow to the cylinder I8.

The lever 65 is operated by the solenoid 66 which is mounted on the base 26 and which has the armature 66 which is connected to the lever 65 by the links 6|. The solenoid is interposed in an electrical circuit having the source of current 62 and the control switch 63 therein. The switch 63 is preferably of pedal-operated type and remains closed until the foot pressure thereagainst is released.

The invention operates substantially as follows: The two pieces of work to be welded together are manually held between the electrodes 6 and I6, or they may be automatically fed into this position by work feeding means conventional in this art. The pedal switch 63 is then closed. This energizes the solenoid 69 which attracts the armature 86 and swings the lever 85 on its pivot 66. The plunger 64 falls by its own gravity allowing the ball 6I to drop on to its seat 86, cutting the power cylinder I8 from communication with the atmosphere through the chamber I9 and the port 62.

The plunger 63 is raised by the movement of the lever 85 and unseats the ball 11. Compressed air flows from the pipe 13 through the passage I5, past the unseated ball II, and through the duct -I6 into the power chamber I6. This forces the piston I8 upward, raising the cross-head 22, the springs 21, and the clevis 24, and swinging the lever I2 on its pivot I3 to move the electrode I6 toward the stationary electrode 6, clamping the work to be welded between the two electrodes. When the work is thus clamped, the piston I6 and the attached crosshead 22 continue their movement to increase the clamping pressure exerted on the work.

Thepivot 41 of the lever 46 moves upward with the crosshead 22, while the latch 58 remains stationary with the clevis 24. This causes the lever 46 to be swung downwardly with respect to the bracket 44, thus bringing the contact bar 46 into engagement with the contacts 56-53 and closing the primary circuit of the transformer II. Welding current then commences to flow between the electrode 6 and I6 through the work.

The compressed air pressure necessary to compress the springs 21 to carry the operation of the machine to the stage above described is furnished to the power cylinder I6 by the pressure regulator valve 66; This valve is manually adjusted by the handle 66 so that it will deliver only the pressure required to effect this end and no more. The valves 66 and 66 aflord a fairly rapid flow of compressed air so that this initial portion of the operation of the machine is accomplished as expeditiously as conditions will permit.

The remainder of the operation of the machine is carried out by means of additional air pressure slowly delivered to the pipe II by the needle valve 10. The speed of this second phase of the opera-' tion of the machine and consequently the duration of the welding current can be regulated by adjustment of the needle valve 10 to vary the rate at which the compressed air is supplied to the power cylinder l8.

The continued upward movement of the piston l9 further raises the crosshead 22, consequently causing the switch lever 48 to be moved still further downward with respect to the bracket 44 1 by the stationary latch 88. The yielding of the springs 5| against the bar 49 engaging the contacts 53 enables the movement of the lever 48 relative thereto. The downward movement of the lever 46 is finally checked by its engaging the stop 82. The roller 58 is then compelled to follow the continuing upward movement of the crosshead 22, thus snapping it out of the notched end 51 of the stationary latch 58. The roller 58 engaging the inclined surface 51 of the latch allows the spring 58' to contract and snap the lever 48 upward to open the contacts 48, 53 and cut off the flow of the welding current. The clamping pressure on the work is not relieved when the welding current ceases. The maximum clamping pressure exerted on the work depends upon the air pressure supplied by the pressure regulator valve 83 as indicated by the dial 81. The needle valve 18 bleeds air from the region 85 until the pressure in the power cylinder l8 reaches this maximum value which pressure is then main tained.

After the weld has cooled, the pedal switch 93 is released, de-energizing the solenoid 89. The contraction of the spring 81 then restores the lever 85 into the position shown in Figs. 3 and 6. This allows the ball 11 to drop on to its seat 16 cutting off the cylinder 18 from the supply of compressed air. The plunger 84 is forced inward unseating the ball 81 and thus permitting the compressed air in the cylinder to flow into the atmosphere through the port 82.

As the piston 18 descends, the springs 21 expand while the clevis 24 remains stationary. The switch lever 48 follows the movement of the crosshead 22 until the roller 58 enters the notched end 51 of the stationary latch 58. This limits the expansion of the springs 21 and causes the clevis 2% now to follow the descent of the crosshead 22. The lever 12 is swung on its pivot moving the electrode l8 away from the stationary electrode 8 and releasing the welded work.

The above described automatic operation of the machine is desired when a succession of like welds are to be performed. It occasionally happens that in the midst of such a succession of welds, the work calls for particular welds requiring a longer duration of the welding current.

Such a weld can be readily accomplished by the present machine without disconnecting or altering the adjustment of the power mechanism. The work is held between the electrodes 8 and i8 and the foot treadle 3| depressed. This tilts the lever 29 on its pivot 88 and thus raises the power cylinder i8, the piston l8 therein, and all oi. the parts connected thereto. The lever 12 is swung on its pivot to clamp the work between the electrodes 8 and I8.

The continued movement of the treadle 8| causes the compression of the springs 21. The ensuing relative movement between the roller 58, held by the stationary latch 58, and the bracket 44 causes the closing of the contacts 49 and 53 in the same manner as in the power operation of the machine. After the flow of welding current is started by the closing of the contacts 49, 58, the treadle 31' is depressed at a rate which is commensurate with the time desired for the duration of the flow of current.

The flnal portion of the movement of the treadle 8| forces the roller to snap out of the notched end oi the latch 58 to open the switch contacts 48, 53 as in the power operation earlier described. The release of the treadle lowers the cylinder 18 and restores all the parts to their original position.

The non-operative position of the electrode 18 with respect to the stationary electrode 8 may be adjusted to minimize idle motionin the clamping of work of uniform thickness. This is accomplished by depressing the treadle 31 to raise the lever 28 from engagement with the cam 33. The lever 39 is then manually operated to rotate the cam 83 to bring the appropriate cam face 35, 38, 31, or 38 into operative position with respect to the lever 28.

Having thus described this invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A welding machine of the class described comprising a pair of electrodes in operative relation to each other; fluid pressure means for bringing said electrodes together; resilient means interposed between said fluid pressure actuated means and said electrodes and adapted to yield after the work to be welded is clamped between said electrodes by said fluid pressure actuated means; a switch controlling the flow of weldin current between said electrodes; means for closing said switch by the yielding of said resilient means to a predet .rmined extent and for opening said switchafter said resilient means further yields to another predetermined extent; a source of fluid pressure connected to said fluid pressure actuated means; a pressure regulator valve interposed between said source of fluid pressure and said fluid pressure actuated means; a second pressure regulator valve interposed between said first pressure regulator valve and said fluid pressure actuated means and adapted to supply fluid pressure sufflcient to cause said resilient means to yield sufficiently to close said switch; and by-pass means adapted to provide restricted communication between the fluid pressure line between said pressure regulator valves and said pressure means.

2. A welding machine of the class described comprising a casing; a stationary electrode fixed on said casing; a movable electrode mounted on said casing and in operative relation to said stationary electrode; a power cylinder mounted in said casing; a fluid pressure actuated element associated with said power cylinder; a crosshead mounted on said pressure actuated element; link means operatively connected to said movable electrode; resilient means interposed between said crosshead and said link means; a bracket flxed to said crosshead; a switch contact on said bracket; a lever mounted on said bracket; contact means on said lever in operative relation to said contact on said bracket; a latch mounted on said link member and engaging said lever and arranged to swing said lever to close said switch contact when said resilient means yields to a predetermined extent; and means for disengaging said lever from said latch and opening said switch contact when said resilient means yields to another predetermined extent.

3. A welding machine of the class described comprising a casing; a stationary electrode flxed on said casing; a movable electrode mounted on said casing in operative relation to said stationary electrode; a power cylinder mounted in said casing; a, fluid pressure actuated element associated with said power cylinder; means for supplying fluid pressure to said power cylinder; a crosshead fixed on said pressure actuated element; link means operatively connected to said movable electrode; a spring interposed between said crosshead and said link means; a bracket fixed on said crosshead; a switch contact on said bracket; a. lever pivoted on said bracket; contact means on said lever in operative relation to said contact on said bracket; a roller on said 

